Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news as investors bet on the success of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine
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Markets across Europe rose on the first trading day of 2021, despite the threat of tougher lockdowns. The distribution of Covid vaccines including the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab from Monday raised hopes that a recovery was in sight.
The FTSE 100 jumped nearly 3%, making it the largest riser among its European peers. Entain shares surged 28% and led the blue chip index after the owner of the Ladbrokes and Coral betting brands said £8bn takeover bid from its US joint venture partner MGM Resorts International significantly undervalued the business.
Brexit on Amazon
Reporters say PM Boris Johnson is set to address the UK at 8pm today, in what is expected to result in a tougher national lockdown.
PM is addressing nation at 8 tonight. Parliament to be recalled Wednesday. Tough national lockdown to be announced
Parliament being recalled on Wednesday to discuss measures UK govt wants to enforce – sounds like, just as Sturgeon has announced in Scotland, England heading back to set of restrictions like in March